Indole → 1-(4-Fluorobenzyl)-1H-indole

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 11.72 g (0.1 mol) of indole in 50 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide is added to a mixture of 2.64 g of sodium hydride (0.11 mol, mineral oil suspension) in 100 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide. The mixture is heated for 1.5 hours at 60° C., then allowed to cool and 15.9 g (0.11 mol) of 4-fluorobenzyl chloride are added dropwise. The solution is warmed to 60° C., allowed to stand overnight and then poured into 400 ml of water with stirring. The mixture is extracted several times with a total of 150 ml of methylene chloride, the organic phase is dried using anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtered, and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is distilled in a high vacuum: 21.0 g (96% of theory) B.p. (0.5 mm): 140° C.

Provenance & Evidence